Got a photo of your precious pup or your mischievous kitty? Maybe your beloved pet is an iguana or parrot or llama or snake. Whatever the species, the Leader is looking for photos of readers’ pets, and we’ve got prize money to give away for them.
A calendar featuring prize-winning photos of Jefferson County pets will be sold at the fifth annual Leader Pet Expo, slated for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
Admission to the event is $1 and parking is free. The admission fee will be donated to the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, which is co-sponsoring the event with Leader Publications.
The Leader is holding a contest to find pet photos for the calendar, which will sell for $5 each, with proceeds going to support the veterinary technology program at Jefferson College.
Readers of all ages are encouraged to submit photos of their pet for the contest.
New this year: The rules have changed to allow submissions by email. Prints are also welcome, of course, but no longer required. Emailed photos must be a minimum of 5 inches wide with a resolution no less than 300 dpi. Special effects, filters, borders, frames, captions, etc. are not allowed and will disqualify a picture from eligibility.
Photos that have appeared in past Leader photo contests are not eligible; however, owners may send a different photo of the same pet. Entries may be color or black and white, and may contain more than one pet. The photo should be rectangular, with a horizontal orientation.
Leader photographers and staffers will select the best shots for use in the calendar. The top choice will win the $200 grand prize and be featured on the calendar cover.
Selection will be based on the quality of the photographs. Judges will evaluate pictures on creativity, composition, charm and technical aspects such as focus, lighting and cropping.
In order to be eligible, the photo must be accompanied by the following information:
■ The photographer’s name, address, age
■ A daytime phone number where the submitter can be reached
■ The name and age of all pets in the photo.
■ The date and place the photo was taken.
■ The names of any people in the photo.
There is a limit of three entries per person. Deadline for submitting a photo is 5 p.m. Friday, April 12. Send entries to: Leader Pet Calendar, P.O. Box 159, Festus, 63028; email to Nvrweakly@aol.com; or drop off at the Leader office, 503 N. Second St., Festus.
Photos may be picked up at the office after April 30. Entries will be mailed back if submitted with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Expo to feature vendors,shows, displays, food
Booth spaces are available at $75 for vendors wishing to take part in the Leader Pet Expo.
At the expo, vendors will be on hand displaying a variety of goods and services for pets and their owners. Pet-themed entertainment is planned and there will be food available for the humans, and “comfort stations” for pets.
For information about the contest or the Pet Expo, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.